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Artwork for Professor of Rock

Professor of Rock

Gamut Podcast Network
Rock Music
Led Zeppelin
Van Halen
The Beatles
MTV
Pink Floyd
Music Industry
Music History
1970s Music
Kiss
Lynyrd Skynyrd
Queen
1980s Music
Heart
Songwriting
Metallica
Michael Jackson
Foo Fighters
Electric Light Orchestra
Stuttering

The ultimate rock music history podcast for fans of the greatest era of music. If you’ve ever wondered about the true stories behind your favorite songs, or wanted to hear directly from the legends who made them, Professor of Rock is your new go-to podcast. Hosted by music historian and superfan Adam Reader, this show brings the golden era of music back to life with exclusive interviews, behind-th... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes1607Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Music

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Artwork for Professor of Rock

Latest Episodes

Coming up, we focus & rank a group of songs that depict a specific year in popular music so remarkably well, they sound exactly like the moment they came out. It’s our latest edition of DATED. Including singer Aimee Mann, who was kidnapped as a child... more

Not long ago, after the channel reached 1.5 million subs, I shared a video on the Professor of Rock Greatest Hits: my top 9 picks for the greatest song stories in the history of this channel. In the comments section, I was flooded with requests for a... more

Today, we put one of rock’s greatest years, 1970, under the microscope and explore songs that we all know and love but failed as hits. There’s a story about Gregg Allman, who was so excited to lay down a song that came into his head, he got high and ... more

Rock and roll has always been a family business. And family… well, family is complicated. Growing up together, fighting together, making history together — and sometimes, destroying each other's dreams in the process. Today, we're counting down the m... more

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Ace Frehley
Space ace guitarist of Kiss, solo artist showcased in this episode
Kiss (guest)
Episode: How Ace Frehley Outsold Kiss With His Solo Record and Proved Everyone Wrong
Jack Tempchin
Co-writer of You Belong to the City and Smuggler's Blues; longtime Eagles collaborator
Collaborator with Glenn Frey, Eagles songwriter
Episode: FROM THE VAULT: The Iconic Miami Vice Soundtrack – How It Defined 80s TV and Music
Bruce Hornsby
Musician and composer known for The Way It Is and collaborations with Don Henley, Bonnie Raitt, and others
Episode: Inside Bruce Hornsby’s Greatest Songs
Mike Ness
Leader of Social Distortion, discussed Ball and Chain and addiction themes
Social Distortion
Episode: Countdown: Legendary Songs That Missed the Charts but Became Iconic
Harriet Wheeler
Lead singer of The Sundays, discussed Here's Where the Story Ends
The Sundays
Episode: Countdown: Legendary Songs That Missed the Charts but Became Iconic
Johnette Napolitano
Lead singer of Concrete Blonde, discussed Everybody Knows on Pump Up the Volume soundtrack
Concrete Blonde
Episode: Countdown: Legendary Songs That Missed the Charts but Became Iconic
Black Francis
Charles Thompson of Pixies, discussed Wave of Mutilation and its Shinju phenomenon backstory
Pixies
Episode: Countdown: Legendary Songs That Missed the Charts but Became Iconic
John Linnell
Member of They Might Be Giants, discussed Birdhouse in Your Soul
They Might Be Giants
Episode: Countdown: Legendary Songs That Missed the Charts but Became Iconic
John Flansburgh
Member of They Might Be Giants, discussed Birdhouse in Your Soul
They Might Be Giants
Episode: Countdown: Legendary Songs That Missed the Charts but Became Iconic

Host

Adam Reader
Host of Professor of Rock; music historian and show creator focused on rock history and storytelling.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 216 ratings
  • Prof gets A+

    How do you get all your information? It’s amazing I’ve enjoyed the prof of rock for a while on YouTube now I get to enjoy him loud and proud in the car. 3 chords and the truth. If it’s to loud your to old !

    Here’s a show idea best 1st dance songs. Those songs that take you back to 7th, 8th grade all the way to your senior prom in the 80s. Ie. When in roam or I just died in your arms tonight. I think it would make a great show.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Um all hype
    United States9 days ago
  • Movie Soundtrack

    My favorite movie soundtrack is from Valley Girl. If you do a second edition, include that one

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ranger!!!
    United Statesa month ago
  • Love the back stories

    Professor - your show is a welcome start to my day. It keeps me entertained while I walk my dog. I love the history and behind the scenes stories about songs and groups I grew up with…and I’m old! Thanks for a great show and I hope you stick around for a very long time to come!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ralph The Green Realtor
    United States2 months ago
  • Great way to start the day

    I absolutely love this podcast. Listen to it every morning when I walk my dogs. I find myself stopping to forward episodes to friends I grew up with. Great diversity of topics and great insights into the stories behind the music. I’ve been trying to come up with my top 10 song list based on that episode. I’ve shared that with my son and my father and several friends. Keep up the great work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Papa Bart 26
    United States2 months ago
  • Well done!

    Outstanding Podcast! Easy to listen to and so very informative.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    mrvvtbuilder
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Fans appreciate authoritative histories and the host's infectious passion for music.
Many note the show's ability to make complex production stories accessible and entertaining.
Listeners praise the show's depth, engaging storytelling, and strong behind-the-scenes access.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#66
United States/Music
Apple Podcasts
#43
Canada/Music
Apple Podcasts
#74
Australia/Music
Apple Podcasts
#139
Israel/Music
Apple Podcasts
#224
New Zealand/Music
Apple Podcasts
#243
Mexico/Music

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How Ace Frehley Outsold Kiss With His Solo Record and Proved Everyone Wrong
Q: Tell me about the moment you decided to do a solo album and what fired you up to prove them wrong.
Ace describes being challenged by Kiss's leadership and feeling inspired to prove he could create a strong solo record on his own, which led to the successful 1978 release and a broader impact on his career.
FROM THE VAULT: Perry Farrell on the Story Behind Jane’s Addiction’s Jane Says – An Alternative Rock Classic
Q: Tell us about Jane Says.
The track is tied to Jane Bainter and Farrell's fascination with the real Jane, blending personal storytelling with the intense energy of the LA scene; the song became a defining moment for Jane's Addiction and showcased Farrell's lyricism and the band's edge.
Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice”: Lou Gramm and Mick Jones on the Story Behind the Classic Hit
Q: Why did you decide to include Cold as Ice on the debut album despite concerns it might be too pop?
Jones and the band ultimately trusted the track and felt it showcased Foreigner's versatility, proving that they could blend pop sensibilities with rock edge, which helped it become a defining song for the group.
Foreigner’s “Cold as Ice”: Lou Gramm and Mick Jones on the Story Behind the Classic Hit
Q: What inspired Cold as Ice and how did the idea come together between you two?
The idea came from a shared writing session where Mick started on the piano, Lou joined in, and they quickly built most of the song together, with emotional heartbreak as a thematic backbone that informed the lyrics and mood.
Tony Hadley of Spandau Ballet Interview: The Story of “True”… and the Boy Band Hit That Copied It
Q: What was it in your life that kicked open the door to your mind and made you want to pursue music?
Hadley describes early influences from Sinatra and classic vocalists, plus his school band experiences and a decisive moment of hearing different styles that shaped his approach to singing and performance.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
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Professions
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Frequently Asked Questions About Professor of Rock

What is Professor of Rock about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deep-dive into rock history built around exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes stories from legendary artists, producers, and songwriters. Episodes center on how iconic tracks were created, the human dynamics behind collaborations, and the cultural impact of memorable songs, with narrative threads that weave production choices, studio anecdotes, and personal memories into a richer understanding of classic rock and pop culture eras. Notable strengths include high-profile guests, in-depth storytelling, and a clear focus on the artistry and storytelling behind hits, making it a compelling listen for fans who want the stories behind the music. A standout is the consistent emphasis on the intersection of music, film, and culture, often fe... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Professor of Rock?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Professor of Rock:

1. Behind The Song: Classic Rock Chronicles
2. Real Time with Bill Maher
3. The Magnificent Others with Billy Corgan
4. Club Random with Bill Maher
5. 60 Songs That Explain the '90s

How many episodes of Professor of Rock are there?

Professor of Rock launched a year ago and published 1607 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Professor of Rock?

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What guests have appeared on Professor of Rock?

Recent guests on Professor of Rock include:

1. Ace Frehley
2. Jack Tempchin
3. Bruce Hornsby
4. Mike Ness
5. Harriet Wheeler
6. Johnette Napolitano
7. Black Francis
8. John Linnell

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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